An 11-year-old Emneth girl has raised £700 for Cancer Research UK - more than tripling her original £200 target - by braving the shave for her birthday, losing 32 inches of her hair.
Tilly Morgan cut her hair short and donated it to The Little Princess charity, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair following treatment for cancer.
She decided to lose her locks in memory of her uncle.
On her fundraising page, Tilly wrote: “My uncle David died from cancer at Christmas and it made all my family very sad.
“My auntie Sam had cancer last year and, although she is now recovering, it was horrible to see her so poorly when she was having treatment.
“Please help me to raise lots of money so that Cancer Research can keep looking for a cure for this horrible disease.”
Tilly, who goes to school at Emneth Academy, was inspired by her mum, Lindzi, and her gran, Jo, who braved the shave last year.
Lindzi Morgan said: “Tilly has always had long hair and decided she wanted to cut it. I’m extremely proud of her. She’s a very kind and conscientious girl.
“She says she likes having short hair now and that she’s getting used to it – though has said her head feels a bit cold.
“It was a brave decision for her, considering she starts at Marshland High School in September.”
Tilly’s half sister, Tammy-Marie Crossley, who works at Glow Hair & Beauty Salon in Outwell, cut Tilly’s hair on the day before her birthday.
After the chop she covered up by wearing a hat, before holding a reveal party on her birthday in front of close family and friends.
“Everyone was very proud and quite shocked, because she looked so different,” added her mum, Lindzi.
“A few of the children at her school actually thought a new child had joined the class when she went in on the Monday, because they are so used to her.”
Tilly, who is a regular churchgoer, received a £150 donation towards her target from Revd Dawn Mason and the congregation of St Edmund’s Church in Emneth.
Linda Eakins, owner of LEADA Cambs, the Wisbech-based drama club which Tilly attends, said: “This was her first proper hair cut and she was very pleased to put her hair to good use.
“She showed her friends at LEADA Drama club and they were very impressed.”
If you would like to donate to Tilly’s fundraising effort, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tillyhair30
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